The Interstate 10 westbound lanes over the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge remain closed this morning as DOTD crews still need to inspect the bridge following Monday’s fiery fatal crash that killed a truck driver from Florida. This year, three people have been killed in crashes on that bridge and Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a variety of factors go into those fatalities…
cut 5 (08) “….distraction”
Wilson says lower speed limits on the bridge might not be the answer.

A 15-year-old on a DeRidder school bus called 9-1-1 yesterday morning to report that the bus driver was swerving and blowing through stop signs. Authorities also received calls from concerned parents. DeRidder Deputy Chief Christopher Rudy says they were able to pull the bus over safely and charged 60-year-old Tammy Gibson with a D-W-I…
cut 14 (08) “…the situation”

Saturday’s season opener against Georgia Southern will mark the first time Tiger Stadium general admission ticket holders can purchase beer or wine…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

After receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Rutgers University, Ruston High School has produced a new logo to replace the block “R” which is identical to Rutgers’ logo. Ruston High Principal Dan Gressett says it will take a while to phase out the old logo, but you’ll see the new one when the football team opens the season against Neville next week…
cut 12 (09) “…it’ll be seen”

A deadly chain-reaction crash on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge has some calling for slower speed limits on the heavily trafficked stretch of I-10.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

I-10 westbound over the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge remains closed this morning as D-O-T-D workers still need to inspect the bridge.

Meanwhile in Breaux Bridge, State Police report a nine-year-old boy from St. Martinville was killed in a three-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 31. .

LSU will sell eight dollar domestic, nine dollar premium beers at Tiger Stadium this season in its first year selling alcohol in the general seating areas. Senior Associate Athletic Director Robert Munson says you won’t find folks hawking adult beverages up and down the aisles, but it should only be a short walk from your seat to the nearest vendor.
Cut 7 (11)“…little bit”

Parents in DeRidder might be a little uneasy sending their kids on a school bus today that’s because a school bus driver in that southwest Louisiana town was arrested yesterday morning on a D-W-I charge. DeRidder Deputy Chief Christopher Rudy says 60-year-old Tammy Gibson was taken into custody after a 15-year-old on the bus called 9-1-1 and said the bus driver was swerving and running stop signs…
cut 15 (09) “….of a motor vehicle”
An estimated 25 children were on the school bus during the eratic driving.

A deadly chain-reaction crash on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge has many calling for changes to traffic laws along the heavily trafficked stretch of I-10.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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 Saturday’s game against Georgia Southern will mark the first time Tiger Stadium general admission goers will be able to have a beer with them when they take their seats…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Ruston High School finalizes a new logo after a trademark dispute with Rutgers University. Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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A fiery, deadly crash on the I-10 Atchafalya Basin Bridge has prompted calls for a new look at speed limits on the highly trafficked stretch, along with other changes.

Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s too early in the process to be proposing changes. He adds we’re still not exactly sure what caused the chain-reaction pileup.

Cut 4 (08) “…accident.”

Three 18-wheelers were involved in the incident that took the life of 31-year-old Christopher McGee of Florida.

Wilson says the Basin Bridge drive offers a beautiful view, but some unique challenges for traffic, including an ever-increasing number of vehicles.

Cut 5 (08) “…distraction.”

The crash locked down the passageway used by 55,000 drivers both Monday and Tuesday.

The bridge drops the general speed limit to 60, and 55 for 18-wheelers. Some have suggested further lowering the speed limits for trucks, but Wilson is hesitant to embrace that…

Cut 6 (10) “…back.”

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Page Cortez says “We have to do better, whatever we are doing is not working with regards to monitoring or speed limits.”

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LSU will be selling eight dollar domestic, nine dollar premium beers at Tiger Stadium this season in it’s first year selling alcohol to general seating.

Senior Associate Athletic Director Robert Munson says you won’t find folks hawking bud light up and down the aisles, but it should only be a short walk from your seat to the nearest vendor.

Cut 7 (11)“…little bit”

There’s a two purchase a person limit for each transaction, and IDs will be required for every transaction.

Rough estimates show as many as 45,000 beverages could be sold per game on average. Munson says he’s excited, but hopes fans will have a little patience…

Cut 8 (12) “through”

All drinks must be poured out of their cans and into plastic cups by the server.

Offering a little booze might help keep the crowds from thinning out after LSU runs up a 30 point lead at halftime against Georgia Southern. Munson says just remember to be responsible.

Cut 9 (10) “…benefit”

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Following a cease and desist from Rutgers University over the use of a block “R” logo, the Ruston High Bearcats have a new logo.  Ruston High Principal Dan Gressett says the overhaul isn’t a radical change.

Cut 10 (07) “…we were using.”

The two schools have maintained a cordial relationship as Ruston phases out the use of the old logo, and as part of a memorandum of understanding, has ten years to completely phase out the logo use.  Gressett says the community feedback has been good for the most part, but some think the new logo may have been rushed.

Cut 11 (09) “…really the case.” 

Gressett says the logo has been circulating social media recently, but the first physical use of the logo can be seen when the Bearcats kickoff their football season against Neville High School on September 6^th.

Cut 12 (09) “…it’ll be seen.”

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DeRidder Police arrest a school bus driver for suspected DWI and child endangerment. Deputy Chief Christopher Rudy says police were first alerted at 7 AM on Tuesday about concerns for the driver from a 15-year-old student on the bus who notified 911.

Cut 13 (07) “…running stop signs.”

By 7:16, police located the bus and identified the driver at 60-year-old Tammy Gibson of DeRidder. Rudy say it is a situation that is not being taken lightly.

Cut 14 (08) “…in the situation.”

Rudy did not say whether Gibson has had previous issues with the law or with her job as a bus driver, but the investigation continues and bond is still pending.

Cut 15 (09) “…of a motor vehicle.”

It’s estimated that the twenty-five children were on the bus at the time and all were safely delivered to their schools.

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Sixth-ranked LSU is nearly a four-touchdown favorite to beat Georgia Southern in Saturday’s season opener. A top ten matchup against Texas looms the following week, but defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko says the Eagles won 10 games last year and they can’t look past them

Cut 16  (19) “…the game”   

The Eagles are led offensively by quarterback Shai Werts. Last season he rushed for 908 yards and 15 touchdowns. Linebacker K’ Lavon Chaisson says Werts is fast…

cut 17 (17) “…big gain” 

Offensively, the Tigers are looking to make a statement and put some points on the board. Quarterback Joe Burrow says he’s tired of hearing about previous LSU offenses that were not very good

Cut 18 (09) “…(chuckles)” 

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The Ragin Cajuns will open in the season on Saturday in the Superdome against Mississippi State. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says they have several guys who will see their first collegiate action and the great unknown is how will they perform

 cut 19 (30)   “practice rep” 

Levi Lewis will start at quarterback for the Cajuns. Napier is expecting a big year from the junior out of Baton Rouge…

cut 20 (23) “we have” 

The Secretary of State’s office has unveiled a new I Voted sticker, which is a new take on the State Seal featuring a pelican with a crown on its head underneath the bold red font of I Voted. Lafayette Artist Tony Bernard designed the striking piece. He says he’s tickled to know that his creation will hopefully help draw more people to the polls, and hopes to see turnout in the millions for the fall elections.

Cut 8 (09) “…direct that”

It cost the state 18,500 dollars to get enough stickers to take us through the October Primary and November Run-Off.

Louisiana Department of Education data shows 46 percent of the general population hit “Top Growth” on their 2019 LEAP scores, while only 43 percent of African American students did. Superintendent of Education John White…

Cut 3 (09) “…this year.”

Slidell is home to a Guinness record-breaking grapefruit. The grapefruit has the distinction of having the largest circumference at 73 centimeters and a weight of 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Growers Doug and Mary Beth Meyer plan on writing a children’s book about their experience.

Cut 10 (09) “…experience with Guinness.”

The previous record was set in Rio de Janeiro nearly 13 years ago, weighing in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce, with a circumference of 70 centimeters.

State Police say a Florida man was killed in Monday afternoon’s chain-reaction crash on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Trooper Thomas Gossen says 31-year-old Christopher McGee was one of three 18-wheelers involved in the pile-up, along with others.

Cut 13 (09) “…as well.”

The incident has sparked calls for a new look at traffic laws for 18-wheelers in the Basin.

Slidell is now home to a Guinness record-breaking grapefruit with the distinction of having the largest circumference at 73 centimeters and weight at 7 pounds, 14 oz. Doug and Mary Beth Meyer say it’s all thanks to a little magic given to them by their grandkids…
Cut 9 (12) “…to the fairies.”
It’s been preserved in a freezer since January.

This year’s edition of the I Voted sticker is a new take on the State Seal featuring a pelican with a crown on its head underneath the bold red font of I Voted. Lafayette Artist Tony Bernard says it’s derived from a painting he did, called “In Love With Louisiana”, and sports a reoccurring character of his…

Cut 6 (11) “…fitting.”

It cost the state 18,500 dollars to purchase enough stickers for the fall season.

State Police say a Florida man was killed in Monday afternoon’s chain-reaction crash on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Trooper Thomas Gossen says along with the one fatality, several people were hurt. The injuries range from minor to moderate and they were taken to local hospitals. The westbound lanes are closed as emergency crews continue the clean-up
Cut 14 (11) “…crime lab”

Louisiana Department of Education data shows 46 percent of the general population hit “Top Growth” on their 2019 LEAP scores, while only 43 percent of African American students did. Despite the call to see higher growth rates in historically disadvantaged students than the general population, Superintendent of Education John White says that doesn’t mean they’re neglecting other students.

Cut 5 (10) “…all.”

This year’s edition of the I Voted sticker is a striking piece designed by an Acadiana artist who hopes his work might just nudge a few more people off the sidelines and into voting booths. The last edition featured George Rodrigue’s iconic Blue Dog, and when Lafayette’s Tony Bernard got a good laugh in when he was asked to do this year’s follow-up.

Cut 7 (12) “…neat”

Louisiana voters were first given I Voted stickers in the 2016 presidential election.

State Police say a Florida man was killed in Monday afternoon’s chain-reaction crash on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Trooper Thomas Gossen says 31-year-old Christopher McGee was one of three 18-wheelers involved…

Cut 12 (09) “…dry case”

McGee’s tractor-trailer caught on fire and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Louisiana Department of Education data shows 46 percent of the general population hit “Top Growth” on their 2019 LEAP scores, while only 43 percent of African American students did. Superintendent of Education John White says they’re trying to close the achievement gap by helping schools develop tailored plans. For example, if data shows a specific school’s 3^rd graders aren’t reading at grade level…

Cut 4 (12) “…together.”

A 73-centimeter, 7 pound 14 oz Slidell creation sets two new Guinness world records for circumference and weight of a grapefruit. Growers Doug and Mary Beth Meyer say despite the accomplishment they do not expect other fruits on the same tree to break the record again.

Cut 11 (11) “…very very delicious.” 

The previous record was set in Rio de Janeiro nearly 13 years ago.

New data from the state department of education finds that historically disadvantaged students are making progress, but not at a rate sufficient to close gaps with their peers. Superintendent of Education John White…
cut 3 (09) “…this year”
On English and Math assessments, 46-percent of all students demonstrated top growth this year, while 43-percent of black students reached that level, 42-percent of students with disabilities hit that mark.

A stretch of I-10 westbound between Baton Rouge and Lafayette remains closed as a result of a fiery multi-vehicle crash on the Atchafalaya Basin that killed a truck driver from Florida yesterday. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says three 18-wheelers and several passenger vehicles were involved…..
cut 13 (09) “…as well”
Along with the one fatality, several people were hurt.

A Slidell couple is Guinness Book of World Record holders for the largest grapefruit ever harvested. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana voters will once again receive I voted stickers after they cast their ballot in October and November. Lafayette artist Tony Bernard came up with the design, which features a pelican with a crown on its head. Bernard hopes it increases voter turnout…
cut 8 (09) “…direct that”